The Art Mint has in recent history released some truly innovative coin designs and their latest offering seems sure not to disappoint expectations.
2016 Greek Myths "Oedipus and Sphinx" coin Reverse
The first coin in a new series entitled “Greek Myths” relates the story of “Oedipus and Sphinx”. The coins design is taken from the interior of an ancient Attic red-figured kylix, thought to have been made around circa 470 BC, currently housed in the Gregorian Etruscan Museum which forms part of the Vatican Museums in Rome.
Ancient Greek Attic red-figured kylix (circa 470 BC), - Gregorian Etruscan Museum
The part of the myth depicted on the coin is where Oedipus arrives at the gates of the Thebes only to be set upon by the Sphinx(a mythical creature with the head of a woman, body of a lioness, wings of a hawk and serpentine tail). The creature then posed a riddle to Oedipus which he answered correctly. Being defeated by Oedipus the Sphinx flung herself from a nearby cliff, having freed Thebes from the monster Oedipus went on to become King.
2016 Greek Myths "Oedipus and Sphinx" coin Obverse
The reverse depicts the Sphinx, sitting on a pedestal, posing her riddle to Oedipus who thoughtfully considering his answer while sitting on a rock. The rather large but strikingly beautiful coin is struck from 2oz of pure .999 Fineness silver, measuring 50mm and tipping the scales at 62.2 grams.
Although the Niue Island Five Dollar coin itself is proof, the true beauty of the coin is derived from the very innovative finish that it received. The fields of both the obverse and reverse have been treated with a rhodium clad finish. This while the relief is gilded with a gold clad finish. The result is a stunning cameo effect with dark gray almost black background with gold foreground, highly reminiscent of the original artwork that the design is based off.
2016 Greek Myths "Oedipus and Sphinx" coin in Box
The obverse holds the right facing effigy of HRH Queen Elizabeth II while the legend reads “ELIZABETH”, “NIUE”, “DIVE DOLLARS”, “2016” and in smaller lettering “2OZ Ag999”. As with the fields are clad with rhodium but the relief has been left untouched, leaving the natural silver to contrast with the darker rhodium.
The coin itself will have an extremely limited mintage of 299 coins total, with a suggested retail price of €390.00.
